Wait A Second.

I thought the President of the United States represented 100% of America, irrespective of political party affiliation?

What a noodnick I am.

Bush campaign staffers apparently were trying to ensure a friendly crowd for his speech. Some Democrats and independent voters in line were turned away when they admitted they weren't sure they were going to vote for Bush.

Jan Witte was rankled by such partisanship.

"He's my president, too," said Witte, 58, of Duluth. "I just thought I should be able to hear him speak."

The Bush-Cheney campaign's Minnesota regional spokeswoman, Tracy Schmitt, said ticketing for Tuesday's speech was organized locally.

"We work with our grass-roots leadership in Minnesota to invite people who share the president's positive vision for America," she said.

Wouldn't want to risk contanmination of the Fourth Reich, eh, Tracy? Makes you wonder: at what point do brown shirts and jackboots go from "recommended" to "mandatory" attire at Bush rallies?

Gawd.